Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is scheduled to speak at Moms for Liberty’s annual gathering on Friday, a national nonprofit organization known for its efforts to eliminate mentions of LGBTQ+ identities and structural racism from K-12 classrooms.
The event, held in Washington, D.C., will include a “fireside chat” between Trump and Tiffany Justice, the group’s co-founder.
Moms for Liberty, which boasts over 130,000 members, is a key component of Trump’s support base. The organization aligns with his views on increasing parental control over public education and opposing racial equity programs and transgender accommodations in schools.
However, this strategy carries risks. While Trump’s participation is likely to strengthen his position among conservative voters, it may alienate more moderate voters who see Moms for Liberty’s activism as overly radical. According to political analysts, Trump’s challenge will be to balance the need to rally his base while not alienating potential swing voters.
Moms for Liberty has grown rapidly since its inception in 2021, largely due to its opposition to mandatory masking and remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the organization has faced setbacks, including scandals and less-than-expected performances in recent local elections.However, the organization has suffered setbacks, including scandals and underwhelming results in recent local elections. Furthermore, the group’s involvement with Project 2025, a contentious plan for the next conservative presidency, may further complicate Trump’s appeal to a broader electorate.
Trump’s education proposals, which are expected to be discussed at the event, include increasing school choice, giving parents more control over educational content, and restructuring how teachers and school administrators are selected and compensated. He has also advocated for the dissolution of the Department of Education and the exclusion of transgender athletes from female sports.
As Trump meets with Moms for Liberty, Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris has criticized his approach to education, particularly his threats to dismantle the Department of Education and limit discussions about race in schools.
The Associated Press, U.S. News & World Report and Axios contributed to this report.
